BEHAVIORAL SLEEP MEDICINE

WITHIN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

General Description -

The clinical psychology program at The University of Alabama is divided into several subspecialty areas. One of these is Health Psychology. Training in sleep disorders, with an emphasis on insomnia, is available within this subspecialty. The training is directed by Professor Kenneth Lichstein.

Clinical Training -

The primary vehicle for clinical sleep training is through a 20 hour per week year long practicum planned for the Sleep Disorders Center, Tuscaloosa. This funded placement is awarded to one clinical student per year and is supervised by Professor Lichstein. This training experience includes conducting psychological evaluations, running a behavioral sleep medicine clinic, providing individual therapy for sleep-disordered patients experiencing anxiety and depression, and participating in a multi-disciplinary staff meeting.

Research Training -

Our research program has emphasized basic research investigating the mechanisms of insomnia and clinical outcome studies to develop interventions for this disorder. In the past 15 years, collaborative research with the Sleep Disorders Center, Methodist Healthcare, and now with sleep disorders centers in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham has expanded our efforts to include studies of compliance to apnea treatment, fatigue effects of apnea, and convenient screening devices for apnea. Our research has been continuously supported since 1988 by grants from the National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Drug Abuse, private foundations, and industry.

Postdoctoral Training -

These are funded by NIH grants to serve as project coordinator for a study.  Inquiries are welcome about current availability.

Department Overview -

As a department we are well funded and our 27 faculty are active and research oriented. The clinical program is APA accredited, includes representation of varied psychotherapy approaches, and is again research oriented. Students having diversified interests in behavioral medicine, aging, and other areas of psychology would find ample opportunities for research and training in allied areas within the department.

See http://psychology.ua.edu.

For More Information -

Students should apply to the clinical doctoral program and specify the Clinical Health concentration. Application materials are available on the Department's website. Further information may be obtained by contacting the clinical admissions secretary.

Ms. Mary Beth Hubbard

(205) 348-1919

mbhubbard@as.ua.edu

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